A couple of weeks ago, we took the train to Perth to meet up with Stuart Braithwaite of Mogwai, the bestselling writer Ian Rankin, and the good filming gentlemen of Radio Magnetic. The plan was to get Rankin and Braithwaite, mutual admirers for some years now, to have a chat about their work, writing, music, and Scotland. Below you can watch and listen to the results. Subjects covered include Rankin’s admission that he sometimes has Mogwai’s EP on repeat for ten hours a day when he’s writing, Braithwaite’s thoughts on Margaret Thatcher; and how they got to know each other. Then, with Ian Rankin always described as a crime writer and Mogwai as a post rock group, the issues they both have with genre-pigeonholing. And finally, Rankin and Braithwaite talk about Scotland, Edinburgh as a character in Rankin’s writing, and the difference between that city and Glasgow. If you’ve always wanted to hear Stuart’s dad’s favourite joke about a Glasgow stabbing and an Edinburgh wedding, then watch below. Mogwai’s new LP Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will, is out now – read the Quietus review. Ian Rankin is currently writing a new novel.
Stuart Braithwaite and Ian Rankin In Conversation from theQuietus on Vimeo.
